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Pro demos at Lyme Regis skatepark's official opening

PROFESSIONAL skaters and BMX riders will try out Lyme’s new skatepark this weekend when it is ‘officially’ opened.

The skatepark at Charmouth Road car park was open for use in March, as soon as construction work was completed.

The official opening will be on Saturday 7 May at 11am, when there will be pro demonstrations, hot dogs, drinks and music.

Demonstrations will include skateboarder Dave Hunter Snaddon, who is originally from Lyme Regis, and BMX rider Ollie Palmer, from Colyton.

Work on the £150,000 skatepark, built by Wheelscape and funded by Lyme Regis Town Council, started in December 2015 and finished ahead of the Easter target date.

Cllr Cheryl Reynolds, who is also secretary and events’ organiser of the Skatepark Fundraising Organisation, said: “After waiting so many years for a skatepark in Lyme Regis, people were so eager to use it that we opened it as soon as it was ready.

“It meant there was no time to organise an ‘official’ opening, so that’s what this Saturday is all about.

“We want to showcase this fantastic new facility and the extraordinary talent that has been demonstrated by those already using the skatepark.

“Having pro demonstrations from local people means we can show young people what can be achieved with practice and hard work.

“We’d love the whole community to come along on Saturday to see what a great facility this is and how much it’s benefiting people of all ages and abilities.

“The event has been organised by young people who use the skatepark and have been involved over the years with the fundraising and design, so it’s thanks to them that we’ve got this exciting day to look forward to.”

The town council committed £150,000 to the project in November 2013, and Wheelscape were selected to design and build the skatepark in April 2014.

Planning permission for the skatepark was given in March 2015 and the town council agreed in June 2015 to pay an annual rent of £2,000 to West Dorset District Council in exchange for the land in the north-east corner of the car park.